Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Chris Lloyd, for whom Councillor Raj Khiroya attended as a substitute, and Councillor Tom Smith, for whom Councillor Chris Whately-Smith attended as a substitute.

Items of other business notified under Council Procedure Rule 30 to be announced, together with the special circumstances that justify their consideration as a matter of urgency. The Chair to rule on the admission of such items.

There were no items of other business.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest

This report presents a schedule of proposed fees and charges effective from 13 January 2025 (set out in Appendix 1) and a schedule of fees and charges effective from 1 April 2025 (set out in Appendices 2, 3 and 4).

Recommendation:

That Policy & Resources Committee recommends to Full Council:

1.          To approve the Fees and Charges set out in the schedule at Appendix 1 to be effective from 13 January 2025;

2.          To approve the Fees and Charges set out in the schedule at Appendix 2 to be effective from 1 April 2025;

3.          To approve the Fees and Charges set out in the schedule at Appendix 3 to be effective from 1 April 2025;

4.          To approve the Fees and Charges set out in the schedule at Appendix 4 to be effective from 1 April 2025.

Alison Scott, Director of Finance, introduced the report.

In response to questions, officers confirmed that there were no changes proposed to services and so the report did not outline any environmental implications, but that the council’s environmental strategy had been considered in preparing the proposals.

The committee discussed the proposals for increases for fines for fly tipping, noting that officers’ advice was that setting fines at the highest level allowable in law would lead to the council being taken to court to challenge such fines. The committee discussed the likelihood of offenders being caught, the likelihood of court challenges being successful, and the possibility of introducing a tiered system of fines.

Councillor Oliver Cooper moved an amendment to the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Andrea Fraser, such that the fixed penalty notice rates for fly-tipping be set at the legal maximum. Following debate, Councillor Oliver Cooper withdrew the amendment.

The Leader proposed that a meeting be convened between the Lead Member, Associate Director for Environment, and the leaders of the political groups to discuss the charges for fly-tipping and, as required, a sliding or other scale be introduced if felt applicable.

The committee debated the proposed increases for hire rates for Leavesden HIVE, noting that the percentage increase for the community rates being higher than the commercial rate was to ensure the difference in rates did not grow over time. The committee further discussed the rates differences between commercial and community rates at Watersmeet Theatre.

Councillor Philip Hearn moved an amendment to the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Oliver Cooper, such that 35 spaces at The Ferry Car Park be available at a rate of £4 per day. Officers confirmed that the council’s fees and charges could be amended at any point during the fiscal year, and that there was scope for a report setting out such a proposal to be brought forward at pace. In response to a question, the Leader of the Council committed to a report on these proposals being brought forward early in the new year, and that any decision would be taken following consultation with residents and parishes. The amendment was subsequently withdrawn.

The committee discussed the charges for pre-application advice for both planning and licensing, both in terms of the structure and how these compared to neighbouring authorities, noting officers’ advice was that pre-application advice fees for planning applications needed to be set at a rate which did not lead to applicants submitting planning applications directly and not using the pre-application process.

Councillor Oliver Cooper moved an amendment to the recommendations such that the pavement licence fee be halved to £250. The amendment was not seconded. In debate, the committee discussed proposals for pavement licensing, with the committee agreeing that a report on pavement licensing options be brought to the Licensing Committee for further consideration.

The committee welcomed the continued practice of not charging for the burial of children in council-owned cemeteries.

RESOLVED:

That Policy & Resources Committee recommends to Full Council:

1. To approve the Fees and  ...  view the full minutes text for item PR424

This report sets out the council tax base by parish for the district and is used by the County, PCC and parishes to set their council tax.

Recommendation:

That Policy & Resources Committee recommends to Full Council that the Council Tax Base is approved for 2025/26.

The item was WITHDRAWN and will be considered by Council

This report seeks approval to enter into a business rates pool with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and a number of other Districts within the County for 2025/26.

Recommendation:

That Policy & Resources Committee recommends to Full Council:

1.       That Council agrees in principle that Three Rivers District Council enters into the Hertfordshire Business Rates Pool, subject to the Government accepting its application to form a pool. 

2.       That Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive and  the Director of Finance to sign up to the Hertfordshire Business Rates Pool, within 28 days of the Local Government Finance Settlement.

Alison Scott, Director of Finance, introduced the report.

The committee debated the risks of business rates appeals across the county, previous risks presented by Three Rivers District Council relating to the Warner Brothers site, and the possible composition of rates pools. Officers confirmed that Three Rivers District Council could only join a pool which had the County Council as a member.

RESOLVED:  

That Policy & Resources Committee recommends to Full Council:

1. That Council agrees in principle that Three Rivers District Council enters into the Hertfordshire Business Rates Pool, subject to the Government accepting its application to form a pool.
2. That Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive and the Director of Finance to sign up to the Hertfordshire Business Rates Pool, within 28 days of the Local Government Finance Settlement.

This report presents proposed updates to the Wreath Laying Protocol.

Recommendation:

That Policy & Resources Committeeagrees the revised Wreath Laying Protocol at Appendix 1.

The Chair introduced the item, explaining that the changes reflected the request of Oxhey Jets FC to ensure the annual Remembrance Match was recorded.

Councillor Stephen Cox moved an amendment to the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Stephen King, such that paragraph 2.3 of the protocol be amended such that it finished:

In the event that no ward member is available to lay a wreath, the relevant group leader may ask another member to lay a ward wreath on their behalf.

The amendment was put to the vote and agreed.

The committee noted that ward councillors did lay wreaths at the Oxhey Jets FC Remembrance Match alongside specific council officeholders.

The committee discussed the need for councillors to mark Remembrance Day events as representatives of the council and the residents of their wards, and not in a political capacity or for personal or party publicity.

RESOLVED: To agree the revised Wreath Laying Protocol at Appendix 1, as amended.

There was no other business.

If the Committee wishes to consider the remaining item in private, it will be appropriate for a resolution to be passed in the following terms:-

“that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined under paragraph X of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act. It has been decided by the Council that in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

(Note:  If other confidential business is approved under item 3, it will also be necessary to specify the class of exempt or confidential information in the additional items.)

A motion to exclude the public and press was not moved.